Community Guidelines

Anti-Harassment Policy
Dystopia Rising is dedicated to providing a harassment-free experience for everyone. We do not tolerate harassment of participants in any form. This code of conduct applies to all Dystopia Rising spaces, including game events, social gatherings and DR-dedicated online spaces such as FB groups, both online and off. Anyone who violates this code of conduct may be sanctioned or expelled from these spaces at the discretion of their local game runner. Some Dystopia Rising spaces may have additional rules in place, which will be made clearly available to participants. Participants are responsible for knowing and abiding by these rules.

Harassment Includes:
▪ Offensive comments related to Gender, Gender Identity and Expression, Sexual Orientation, Disability, Mental Illness, Neuro(a)typicality, Physical Appearance, Body Size, Age, Race, or Religion.
▪ Unwelcome Comments regarding a Person’s Lifestyle Choices and Practices, including those related to Food, Health, Parenting, Drugs, and Employment.
▪ Deliberate Misgendering or Use of ‘Dead’ or Rejected Names.
▪ Gratuitous or Off-topic Sexual Images or Behavior in spaces where they’re not appropriate.
▪ Physical Contact and Simulated Physical Contact (eg, textual descriptions like “*hug*” or “*backrub*”) without Consent or after a request to stop.
▪ Threats of Violence.
▪ Incitement of Violence towards any Individual, including encouraging a person to Commit Suicide or to Engage in Self-harm.
▪ Deliberate Intimidation.
▪ Stalking or Following.
▪ Harassing Photography or Recording, including logging online activity for harassment purposes.
▪ Sustained Disruption of Discussion.
▪ Unwelcome Sexual Attention.
▪ Pattern of Inappropriate Social Contact, such as Requesting/Assuming Inappropriate levels of Intimacy with others.
▪ Continued One-on-One Communication after requests to Cease.
▪ Deliberate “Outing” of any aspect of a person’s identity without their consent except as necessary to protect vulnerable people from Intentional Abuse.
▪ Online instances of “trolling”, “naming & shaming” and/or publication of Non-Harassing Private Communication.

Dystopia Rising prioritizes Marginalized People’s Safety over Privileged People’s Comfort.

Branch runners reserves the right not to act on Complaints Regarding:
▪ ‘Reverse’ -isms, including ‘reverse racism,’ ‘reverse sexism,’ and ‘cisphobia’
▪ Someone setting Reasonable Communication of Boundaries, such as “Leave me alone,” “Go away,” or “I’m not discussing this with you.”
▪ Communicating in a ‘tone’ you don’t find congenial.
▪ Criticizing Racist, Sexist, Cissexist, or otherwise Oppressive Behavior or Assumptions.

Sexual Harassment/Assault
The topic and realm of Sexual Assault and Harassment are specifically banned from all Dystopia Rising and affiliated events, both in and out of character. There is no instance in which a plot or module will touch on this topic, and any use of it is strictly forbidden within the Game Running Rules and Guidelines. Likewise, during any and all Player Interactions, either in character or out, at no time should Sexual Assault be used, mentioned, alluded to, suggested, paraphrased or highlighted. Violations of this rule will be dealt with harshly and the Offender likely removed from the event. Repeat Offenders will not be welcome at events, and notice may be sent to other Dystopia Rising Branches. While the above harassment list is treated with equal weight, the decision was made to add an extra layer for this topic specifically and we thank all players for abiding by this ruling.

Consent
Consent is two (or more) People deciding together to do the same thing, at the same time, in the same way with each other- whether it’s Physical, Verbal, or Sexual. It is the presence of a “yes”, not the absence of a “no.” For the duration of an event, consent is defined as a clearly asked question followed by an enthusiastic “yes.”

Conduct

When attending a Dystopia Rising Event, attendants are expected to conduct themselves in a way that best represents the network and themselves. It is the responsibility of the Runners of each Individual Branch to uphold Conduct Standards within their Local Gaming Community. In the instance that a Local Runner has not addressed issues that have occurred, members may contact the Dystopia Rising LARP Network home office via the Dystopia Rising LARP Network home page. Any issues that have occurred at a Local Level must first be brought to the attention of the Local Runner. Our Membership Guidelines apply at any Event that is being Officially Hosted or Advertised as a Branch or Dystopia Rising LARP Network Event. We have no intent to give you direction in regard to how you live your personal life. While we would hope that you would live your life in an open, friendly way with a mind towards the Equality-Based Community Standards the Dystopia Rising LARP Network embodies, it is not our intent to direct you on how to live your day-to-day life. We want a membership base that treats one another well. We want a membership base that treats everyone equally. We want a membership base that treats everyone fairly. We want a membership base that, truthfully, encourages the growth of not only the Network but the Players within it. It is important to note that these Guidelines are in relation to Person-to-Person interaction and not Character-to-Character interaction. We all understand that by attending a Dystopia Rising Role-Play Event we accept a wide range of role-play and while out of character actions should always be conducted with utmost care and respect for each other, conflict between Characters is a part of the game and the world. Community Guidelines apply to all interactions and being “In Character” is never an excuse to go against the Network Expectations.

Every member is treated the same and with respect
All members will be treated equally, free from harassment, and not discriminated against. Membership, attendance, participation and treatment at any Dystopia Rising LARP Network Event will not be Restricted by Race, Color, Sex, National Origin, Physical or Mental Disability, Sexuality, Gender Identity, Religion or Experience Level in the Hobby. Everyone is to be treated with kindness and respect. Communications within the Dystopia Rising LARP Network-Provided mediums as well as Person Interactions at Dystopia Rising LARP Network events must occur with Courtesy and Respect for those involved. All members should operate on a baseline of “Assume Best Intent”. This not only includes interacting with one another in friendly and civil tones, but also that when we disagree with one another we do so as adults would, with courtesy and respect.
This also applies to Community Members who are Employees, Owners or Other “Staffed” Members. Aggressive, Antagonistic or Attacking Interactions are not acceptable in any format. We acknowledge that creating LARP Events is an often stressful and difficult job and expect those who do so to be granted the same courtesy we would give any other member of the Dystopia Rising World.

Abide by the Law
When at a Dystopia Rising LARP Network Event, much like in life, Illegal activity is Illegal. If members engage in illegal activity while at a Dystopia Rising LARP Network Event, those members will be turned over to the Local Authorities in addition to having Corrective Actions handled by Local Branch Runners or National Network Representatives.

Draw a line between the game world and the real world Characters that are portrayed by Players or Staff Members are fictitious entities. Characters should never take priority over Real People. Character actions should be defined by a combination of what the Character would do AND the Concepts of Fair Play and Sportsmanlike Conduct. Sometimes Characters need to do, or say, things that they normally wouldn’t to ensure the Emotional, Mental, and Physical Safety of the Players. Players, however, should never participate in something they do not want to for the sake of a Character. When role-play and game interactions touch on Sensitive Issues, we always will fall on the side of Caution and Respect for those involved. This is the most basic way to show respect and consideration. Game is Game. Life is Life. If these simple lines are difficult to understand or see, then please take some time off to correct your own life. Game will be there when you get back.

Responsibility to Other Players
We must be courteous and respectful of others, both in and out of game. When we interact with other people, we must understand that certain topics and words are triggers for sensitive subjects. In the instance that a topic of sensitive nature is being discussed or is the focus of an in-character interaction, the people involved should make sure that the
one that is least comfortable with the scenario is at ease. A scene or interaction is never more important than the players involved. Be respectful to borders and limitations of other people.

Personal Responsibility It is also the Responsibility of those who feel that their limits are being pushed to express their Discomfort. Be it During Game or During an Out of Character Event, if a Topic, Word, or Subject Matter causes distress to an Individual we ask that that Individual express this to those involved. At times, people are unaware of how their actions might be affecting others. As much as we want people to be aware of what they are doing, we also need others to point out when boundaries or limits are being approached. Additionally, what is offensive or upsetting to one person might not be to another. Unless they are made aware of the issue, they cannot change or stop it. This is not a means for individuals to remove their characters from the negative repercussions of their own actions (such as zombies chewing on you if you ran out into the woods alone). However, it is a means to ensure that Reasonable Limitations and Triggers are Respected.